Cry – English Lyrics

• By: Cigarettes After Sex

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the melancholic yet beautiful world of 'Cry' by Cigarettes After Sex, a dream pop masterpiece that offers a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of English through its poignant lyrics. This song's gentle, cinematic sound and emotionally raw storytelling make it special, inviting listeners to connect deeply with themes of love, memory, and heartbreak. Its clear, evocative language and recurring phrases are excellent for language learners to grasp emotional expression and vocabulary in a captivating musical context.

[English]

It's making you cry every time

You give your love to me this way

Sayin' you'd wait for me to stay

I know it hurts you

But I need to tell you something

My heart just can't be faithful for long

I swear I'll only make you cry

Maybe I'd change for you someday

But I can't help the way I feel

Wish I was good, wish that I could

Give you my love now

But I need to tell you something

My heart just can't be faithful for long

I swear I'll only make you cry

...

I need to tell you something

My heart just can't be faithful for long

I swear I'll only make you cry

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears, usually in response to sadness or pain
love /lʌv/ A2	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to have a strong affection for someone
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood around the body noun - the center of emotion and feeling
hurt /hɜːrt/ B1	verb - to cause pain or suffering noun - emotional pain or suffering
faithful /ˈfeɪθfʊl/ B2	adjective - loyal and trustworthy
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ B1	verb - to make or become different noun - the act or process of becoming different
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
swear /swɛər/ B1	verb - to solemnly promise something
stay /steɪ/ A2	verb - to remain in a place
something /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ A2	pronoun - an unspecified thing
good /ɡʊd/ A2	adjective - morally excellent
way /weɪ/ A2	noun - a method or direction
tell /tɛl/ A2	verb - to communicate information
need /niːd/ A2	verb - to require something
could /kʊd/ B1	verb - past ability

Key Grammar Structures

• It's making you cry every time

  ➔ Present Continuous for ongoing action, Gerund as object of verb

  ➔ The phrase "It's making you cry" uses the present continuous ("is making") to emphasize that the action of causing tears is happening repeatedly. "Cry" functions as a gerund, acting as the direct object of the verb "making". The word "every time" highlights the frequency.

• Sayin' you'd wait for me to stay

  ➔ Conditional Mood (would + infinitive), Reported Speech

  ➔ This line uses the conditional "would wait" to report what someone said they *would* do. It's a form of reported speech, indicating a past statement about a future action. The "to stay" is an infinitive of purpose.

• My heart just can't be faithful for long

  ➔ Modal Verb (can't) expressing inability, Adverb of Degree (just)

  ➔ "Can't" expresses the speaker's inability to remain faithful. "Just" intensifies this inability, suggesting it's a natural or inherent quality. It's not a temporary issue.

• I swear I'll only make you cry

  ➔ Future with 'will' for prediction/promise, Adverb of limitation (only)

  ➔ The speaker uses "I swear I'll" to emphasize the certainty of their prediction – they are certain they will cause the listener pain. "Only" limits the action to just causing tears, implying no other positive outcomes.